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Okawa Elementary School in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, lost 84 students and teachers in the Great East Japan Earthquake tsunami. Alumni formed Team Okawa Future Opening Network in February 2022 to conduct guided tours of the disaster ruins and give lectures nationwide.

Representative Tadano-san (right) and deputy representative Konno-san (left) conducting a guided tour of Okawa Elementary School

Civic Force's Great East Japan Earthquake NPO Partner Projects has been supporting the group's activities since April 2025. Team Okawa is working to create a hub where people from inside and outside the area can gather, using land borrowed from Ishinomaki City. In addition to setting up and maintaining food and beverage, retail, and workspaces, the group also conducts activities at a cafe. The group will work to strengthen collaboration with students in order to pass on the Okawa Elementary School Guide to the next generation.

We spoke with Tetsuya Tadano, representative of Team Okawa about the current situation in the region, the organization's activities, and future prospects.

―After the earthquake, the area around Okawa Elementary School became a non-residential area. Has the population been decreasing year-by-year? Please tell us about the current situation.

The population, already in decline, further decreased after the disaster. With limited job opportunities, young people are relocating, leading to more vacant homes and land. The area, now a designated uninhabitable disaster risk zone, faces exacerbated pre-disaster social issues like depopulation.

―It seems that many people from all over the country are visiting Okawa Elementary School, which became a disaster relic in 2021. What is the current situation?

In 2023, Okawa Elementary School saw a record 80,000 visitors, a surge partly due to the documentary "Living: Okawa Elementary School  - People Who Fought the Tsunami Trial." Visitors came from both Japan and abroad. However, limited transportation makes access difficult, especially for students. Recently, visitor numbers have declined, with most being one-time visits. The goal is now to increase repeat visitors.

―The "Community Design Project" planned as part of Civic Force's NPO Partner Project seems like it will be an opportunity to increase the number of visitors. What do you plan to do in developing the community base?

We want to create a place where everyone, both locals and outsiders, can gather casually. First, we plan to have regular workshops combining environmental improvements like weeding and planting with DIY projects around our container office. We also hope to open the office itself as an interactive space, offering activities like reading picture books to children.

The planned site for the community center located across from Okawa Elementary School

―You are also planning to invite external lecturers to hold workshops. What kind of content will they have?

We're planning workshops with carpenters for hands-on building experiences, like constructing wooden decks, benches, and stoves. We'll also host seasonal events and develop a story-creation project (similar to "Manga Nippon Mukashi Banashi") to explore local origins. Our goal is to make this a memorable place for children, integrating “playing, eating, and learning.”

―In your other project, "Activities aiming for a new stage in conveying lessons to the future," you're also planning to have students participate as regular guides at Okawa Elementary School. How do you plan to collaborate with the younger generation in the future?

So far, we have collaborated with Seigakuin University and had students guide students around Okawa Elementary School on a trial basis. In the future, we would like to collaborate with local students from Ishinomaki Nishi High School and other schools. We have already established a cooperative relationship with Ishinomaki Nishi High School through other programs, so we would like to use this opportunity to deepen their interest in Okawa Elementary School through traditional activities and develop it into a better connection.

―You have accepted many volunteers so far, but what is the situation regarding student participation?

Beyond local high school volunteers, the annual "Welcome Home Project" has engaged 15-20 university students since 2022. During Obon, this project illuminates Okawa Elementary with paper lanterns bearing messages, honoring disaster victims and ancestors while offering a peaceful return for those who've left. We aim to keep creating more opportunities for the younger generation to easily engage and take on challenges, including at our new base.

―Please tell us your thoughts on Civic Force's NPO Partner Projects.

As a new corporation, our priority this year is to build a self-sustaining foundation with Civic Force's support, ensuring long-term operations. Our organization specifically targets children and the younger generation; we aim to create a community where they'll want to engage and play with Team Okawa.

Earthquake Disaster Relic Okawa Elementary School

―What message do you want to convey as an organization through your lectures and various activities around the country?

From our childhood disaster experiences, we underscore the power of community support and protecting loved ones. Beyond earthquakes, our organization tackles pressing social issues like youth bullying and suicide. We envision a child-centric society, developing experiences that encourage learning and growth for the younger generation, guided by principles of "not denying, not forcing, and being careful." Our message is clear: face challenges together with family and friends. Building strong connections is essential for navigating adversity. Thus, our lectures and guides promote shared reflection on difficult situations.

Centered on "play, eat, learn," we aim to create a disaster-resistant society prioritizing children's lives and a future where youth can confidently pursue new endeavors. Civic Force stands with Team Okawa Future Opening Network as they build a brighter future, honoring lessons from the past.

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*On May 24th, Civic Force staff took part in a guided tour of Okawa Elementary School.

At the Okawa Earthquake Memorial Museum and Okawa Elementary School, participants reflected on their Great East Japan Earthquake experiences and the future of the Okawa River. Sharing both painful memories and "fun times" from their elementary days underscored the preciousness of everyday life. This warmth sharply contrasted with the sudden, horrifying shift on March 11th, highlighting the disaster's profound impact.